Regional Media Podcast Network

Dr. Chris Sullens, Kewanee School District Superintendent joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday to discuss Tuesday's Kewanee School Board Meeting. Dr. Sullens discussed getting a new contract completed with the Kewanee Education Association and the beneficial elements of the new contract for both sides. We also discussed Dr. Sullens' replacement as Superintendent which was announced on Monday. After Dr. Sullens retires at the end of the current school year, current Kewanee High School Principal, Rebecca Baney will be the new Kewanee School District Superintendent. Dr. Sullens had nothing but exemplary things to say about Mrs. Baney as his replacement.

City Council notes plus the resolution proclaimed to designate Sterling a POW/MIA city.

Savannah Ballard from the City of Macomb Marketing & Downtown Development Office returns to the studio to chat about the some fun community activities coming up in the month of December including the Santa Zephyr and Dickens on the Square, which take place starting December 1st, as well as the beginning of the Holiday Light Display at Chandler Park and the citywide Tour of Lights event. 

For more information about these events contact the Marketing & Downtown Development office at (309) 575-3015 or visit the Downtown Macomb Facebook page.

The annual OSF Saint Clare Medical Center Tree of Lights campaign is underway. You can buy a light at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center and the proceeds will be used to help purchase new equipment for the Rehabilitation Services at OSF Saint Clare Medical Center. We spoke with Samantha Rux, Cathy Foes, Deb Curley and Jim Scarpaci on Wake Up Tri-Counties on Monday about the history of Tree Lights, the chance to honor people who have passed on via the Tree of Lights, and how your donations via the Tree of Light will help people in rehabilitation from various forms of injuries.

It's that time of the year in Bishop Hill when the Tomtes start to make mischief and the Christmas Market is ready to open. Julmarknad begins on November 24th and 25th in Bishop Hill and will continue for a second weekend on December 2nd, and 3rd. You can enjoy the shopping in Bishop Hill, the food, the music and the wonderful atmosphere of Bishop Hill for two consecutive special weekends. Kathy Cuff, representing the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, and with the Vasa Archives in Bishop Hill, joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to promote Julmarknad and talk about the incredible shopping opportunities and celebrations happening in Bishop Hill.

Recently, what remains of the Kewanee Boiler Shop was devastated by a large fire. The fire reminded everyone of the remarkable history that The Boiler Shop has in Kewanee. The fire inspired our friend Dave Clark to take a look back on that remarkable history and take a closer look at the people who fostered that history and helped create a legacy with The Boiler Shop, one that still resonates today in the fact that you can travel anywhere on the globe and, if you can go looking for it, you can find a Kewanee Boiler in the basement that's been working several decades and shows no signs of slowing down. Dave Clark takes us back to the history of the Kewanee Boiler Shop and, stick around to the end, Dave takes a few moments to remember Jim Golby, the former Kewanee School District Superintendent who passed away recently is wonderfully well remembered on this edition of Kewanee Back When.

On Monday night at the Kewanee City Council Meeting, Kewanee Police Chief Nick Welgat gave a heartfelt and emotional speech to the Kewanee City Council. It was Chief Welgat's final act as Kewanee Police Chief as he was stepping down due to a battle with Cancer. On this night, his replacement as Chief Stephen Kijanowski was being sworn in, along with new Deputy Police Chief Michael Minx. With his colleagues and family looking on, Chief Welgat gave a deeply emotional address that touched everyone who heard it. We have preserved the speech in its entirety and are sharing it with you with a heartfelt thank you to Chief Welgat as he steps into retirement and his continuing battle with cancer.

Kewanee Mayor Gary Moore joined Wake Up Tri-Counties on Tuesday morning to wrap up an eventful and emotional Kewanee City Council Meeting on Monday evening. On Monday, at the start of the meeting Kewanee Police Chief Nick Welgat gave a heartfelt and tear streaked address to the City Council and the community in general, thanking the Council for his time as Kewanee Police Chief and discussing his decision to retire and focus on his health and family. In our interview, the Mayor reflects on the career of Chief Welgat and his time as Police Chief. The Mayor also addressed ongoing rumors regarding the potential of privatizing trash and recycling pick up in the City of Kewanee. The Mayor said that it has been a discussion but reassured that any plan would require the City to keep on the employees who handle trash and recycling.